The only thing that has been able to sufficiently divert me from the outstanding presidential election results is the new book Dior Joaillerie: The A to Z of Victoire de Castellane, a sumptuous title from Rizzoli that arrived at my home yesterday with, I must say, impeccable timing.
In a season that has been chock-full of covetable jewelry book debuts, this one stands out for its stature—9 inches by 11 3/4 inches and 352 pages—and the gorgeous jewelry visuals contained within.
The book was published to commemorate and celebrate de Castellane’s 20-year tenure as creative director of Dior Joaillerie, and its whimsical premise further makes it a must-have for your personal library, coffee table, or store/atelier lounge area. In addition to providing a showcase for de Castellane’s finest creations—she has amassed an impressive, utterly enchanting body of work since Dior Joaillerie’s founding in 1998—the book also presents its readers with a window on the way the designer thinks and dreams.
For preceding the gallery-like presentation of the jewels are dictionary entries written by Olivier Gabet, director of the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris, all charmingly layered with de Castellane’s singular point of view and musings.
Each of the book’s 26 chapters—one for every letter of the alphabet—contains unique interpretations of words that have personal significance to de Castellane and the house of Dior, including Abundance, Exotic, Hollywood, Night, Rococo, Trompe L’oeil, Ultra, Vanitas, Zest, and dozens more.
The text is accompanied by illustrations penned by de Castellane herself.
On Tuesday, I provided 49 compelling reasons to vote; Dior Joaillerie: The A to Z of Victoire de Castellane’s gift of 200 richly detailed, lipstick-glossy photographs of the designer’s gem-laden flights of fancy—from carved skulls with gemstone floral crowns to the Parterre de Latone Saphir bracelet with its candy shop–like display of chrysoprase, emeralds, sapphire, and turquoise—has been a most welcome rabbit hole to tumble into while we wait things out.
A peek at the delights that await you are shown below.
Top: The cover of © Dior Joaillerie: The A to Z of Victoire de Castellane by Victoire de Castellane with text by Olivier Gabet, Rizzoli New York, 2020 (all images courtesy of Rizzoli New York)
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